2009

As the College enters its Centennial year, it is with an unprecedented 48% growth in enrollment, making Pacific Northwest College of Art the fastest-growing independent art school in the nation. PNCA also becomes the only independent school of art in the Pacific Northwest to offer graduate education.

The College continues discussions started in November 2008 with the Museum of Contemporary Craft on integration. A joint task force of Museum and College officials meets to further explore the integration. Together, the College and the Museum hold a series of Community Conversations, as the two institutions move forward with plans to integrate the Museum into PNCA.

Pacific Northwest College of Art’s current home in Portland’s Pearl District.

2008

The College acquires the 1916-era former U.S. Post Office building at 511 NW Broadway, at no cost from the federal government. Doubling the College’s space, the new building will support the PNCA+FIVE initiative and provide space for growing enrollment. Target move-in date is 2014.

Pacific Northwest College of Art announces the creation of a joint degree with Oregon College of Art and Craft. The joint MFA in Applied Craft and Design is the second MFA program at the College and is accepting 15 students for Fall 2009.

The 511 Building at 511 NW Broadway
Illustration: Jake Hollomon ’08.

2007

Hallie Ford, a long-time arts supporter and co-founder of the Ford Family Foundation, donates $15 million to PNCA; the largest gift to an arts organization in Oregon’s history. The gift helps the College establish The Ford Institute for Visual Education (FIVE), which extends PNCA’s intellectual and resource platform through the PNCA+FIVE Idea Studios series, exhibitions, symposia, and the development of a series of graduate programs, internationally renowned artists in residence and other programs, all of which enrich the environment for original thinking and creative enterprise.

In fall, the MFA in Visual Studies is launched. It is the first MFA in the College’s history.

2003

After 22 years at the helm, College president Sally Lawrence retires. Through a year-long national search, Dr. Thomas Manley is appointed President.

Current PNCA President Tom Manley.

1998

The College moves into a 92,000-square-foot former warehouse located at 1241 NW Johnson Street. Redesigned by Holst Architecture, the building wins the Unbuilt Citation Award for Excellence in Design from the American Institute of Architects, and the Governor’s Livability Award.

Under construction: Pacific Northwest College of Art’s Pearl District home.

1994

Sally Lawrence is appointed President by the Board of Governors. The College becomes independently incorporated and receives separate IRS tax-exempt status from the Museum. Final agreements are reached with the Museum in the purchase price for the Hoffman Wing, continuing access to the library, transfer of endowment income and a date for vacating the building.

Sally Lawrence, long-time PNCA President.

1991

In response to the recommendations of the accrediting bodies, the Trustees of the Portland Art Museum establish a Board of Governors for PNCA in order to begin the process of developing a strong financial base and separating the College from the Museum, with the hopes of establishing the College as a major national and international driving force for the visual arts.

1980s

Student work continues to push new boundaries and a group of innovative artists emerges from the College, including Michael Brophy ’85, Paul Green ’85, Malia Jensen ’89, and Eric Stotik ’85.

1981

Sally Lawrence is invited by the faculty to become Interim Director. The name of the school is changed to the Pacific Northwest College of Art. Lawrence is later appointed Acting Director after the departure of Al Hammer.

The name of the Museum Art School is changed to Pacific Northwest College of Art.

1970

In September, the Museum Art School begins its first year in the L. Hawley Hoffman Wing, its long-awaited new building. The following May, the school holds its first graduation ceremony in the new Carolyn Berg Swann Auditorium.